| Genre | Soap opera |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | WGN |
| Starring | Irna Phillips |
| Created by | Irna Phillips |
| Written by | Irna Phillips |
| Original release | 1930 – 1943 |
| Audio format | Mono |
Painted Dreams is an American radio soap opera that premiered on WGN radio, Chicago, on October 20, 1930[1] and last aired in July 1943. It is widely considered by scholars of the genre to be the first daytime soap opera or drama-by-installment serial.[2][1] The first to be broadcast in daytime over a radio network would be Clara, Lu 'n Em, two years later.
In 1930 radio station WGN asked Irna Phillips, who worked for them as an actress, to create a 15-minute daily show "about a family," to air during the day. Painted Dreams was the result.
Phillips wrote and acted in the show until 1932 when she asked WGN to sell the show to a national broadcaster. When they refused, Phillips sued, claiming the show was her property. The dispute was finally settled in 1938, and the show was acquired by CBS. Meanwhile, Phillips had left WGN in 1932, creating Today's Children for rival station WMAQ with virtually the same plot premises and characters.
- ^ a b Cox, Jim (2003). Frank and Anne Hummert's radio factory: the programs and personalities of broadcasting's most prolific producers. McFarland. ISBN 978-0786416318.
- ^ Cox, Jim (2005-11-15). Historical Dictionary of American Radio Soap Operas. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6523-5.